CVE-2017-15870 in GlobalProtect Agent
Summary
by MITRE
Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect Agent before 4.0.3 allows attackers with administration rights on the local station to gain SYSTEM privileges via vectors involving "image path execution hijacking."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15870 affects Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect Agent versions prior to 4.0.3, presenting a critical privilege escalation risk that can be exploited by attackers who already possess administrative rights on a local system. This flaw represents a sophisticated attack vector that leverages image path execution hijacking techniques to elevate privileges from administrative level to SYSTEM level, effectively granting complete control over the affected machine. The vulnerability specifically targets the GlobalProtect agent's handling of image paths during execution processes, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to inject arbitrary code and gain elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of image paths within the GlobalProtect agent's execution framework. When the agent executes certain processes, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the image paths being used, allowing an attacker with local administrative privileges to manipulate the execution flow. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-426 weakness category, which specifically addresses the execution of untrusted code due to improper input validation. The flaw enables attackers to substitute legitimate executable files with malicious counterparts, thereby hijacking the execution context and gaining SYSTEM privileges. The attack requires only local administrative access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by insiders or attackers who have already compromised a system through other means.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete system control capabilities that can be leveraged for persistent access, data exfiltration, and further network infiltration. Once escalated to SYSTEM privileges, an attacker can manipulate system files, install additional malware, modify registry entries, and potentially establish backdoors that persist across system reboots. This vulnerability significantly weakens the security posture of organizations relying on Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect solutions, as it allows for arbitrary code execution at the highest privilege level. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it can be exploited without requiring additional authentication or network access, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to maintain persistent access within compromised environments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating the GlobalProtect agent to version 4.0.3 or later, which includes patches addressing the image path execution hijacking vulnerability. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any systems running affected versions of the agent. The mitigation strategy should include monitoring for unauthorized changes to system executables and implementing proper access controls to limit local administrative privileges. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies and regular security audits to detect potential exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques under T1068 and execution methods under T1059, emphasizing the need for layered security controls that prevent both initial compromise and subsequent privilege escalation. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security software and implementing proper code validation practices to prevent attackers from exploiting legitimate system processes for malicious purposes.